Re: Sinn Féin to collapse Assembly unless Arlene Foster steps down

Originally Posted by Saoirse go Deo

Well, it's election day today. Interesting to see what happens next.

A seismic shift giving nationalists/republicans a majority in the executive. A wake-up call for Unionism i hear but surely the alarm was ringing long before elections. Arguably, it was Arlene Fosters actions and inaction that brought things to a head and set in motion the events that have basically re-wrote electoral history in the North.

Talks are to begin tomorrow [Monday] in an effort to resolve issues and get Stormont up and running again but it has been made clear that Sinn Fein will not be nominating a deputy first Minister if Arlene Foster continues to refuse to step aside while the RHI scandal is investigated. With a three week window to haggle all the pressing issues it's not looking likely we'll see all, if any matters resolved within that time frame.

Re: Sinn Féin to collapse Assembly unless Arlene Foster steps down

As the Brit Sec of State reiterates a limited time window to reach agreement and get Stormont up and running again he is reminded that he himself is a part of the problem..

Quote.. Speaking as the party gathered at Northern Ireland Parliament Buildings, Mr Adams said he had no confidence in Mr Brokenshire to chair post-election negotiations.
The approach of this Secretary of State, like his predecessors, and of the British Government's general approach, illustrates perfectly that they are part of the problem.

– SINN FÉIN PRESIDENT GERRY ADAMS
Mr Adams said: "Without fundamental change on their part there cannot be the type of progress that people want.

"We are very clear about our view that if recent statements by James Brokenshire and Theresa May are to be taken at face value then the British Government is going to make all the mistakes that it made in the past."

He accused the British Government of breaking previous agreements to do with issues such as legacy and an Irish language act and said it has "sought special deals for their own Armed Forces".

The party’s northern leader Michelle O’Neill, said they are still insisting that DUP leader Arlene Foster cannot be First Minister until there is clarity on her involvement in the RHI scandal. unquote. http://www.itv.com/news/utv/

Taking sides...

Quote.. Stephen Farry of the Alliance Party said that while Mr Brokenshire had a major role to play in the way forward, he had to take more care to be impartial.
"At times the UK government have been, and indeed the Conservative Party, too close to the perspective of the DUP rather than actually acting as an impartial broker between the parties," he said.

Re: Sinn Féin to collapse Assembly unless Arlene Foster steps down

Originally Posted by Trow

As the Brit Sec of State reiterates a limited time window to reach agreement and get Stormont up and running again he is reminded that he himself is a part of the problem..

Quote.. Speaking as the party gathered at Northern Ireland Parliament Buildings, Mr Adams said he had no confidence in Mr Brokenshire to chair post-election negotiations.
The approach of this Secretary of State, like his predecessors, and of the British Government's general approach, illustrates perfectly that they are part of the problem.

– SINN FÉIN PRESIDENT GERRY ADAMS
Mr Adams said: "Without fundamental change on their part there cannot be the type of progress that people want.

"We are very clear about our view that if recent statements by James Brokenshire and Theresa May are to be taken at face value then the British Government is going to make all the mistakes that it made in the past."

He accused the British Government of breaking previous agreements to do with issues such as legacy and an Irish language act and said it has "sought special deals for their own Armed Forces".

The party’s northern leader Michelle O’Neill, said they are still insisting that DUP leader Arlene Foster cannot be First Minister until there is clarity on her involvement in the RHI scandal. unquote. http://www.itv.com/news/utv/

Taking sides...

Quote.. Stephen Farry of the Alliance Party said that while Mr Brokenshire had a major role to play in the way forward, he had to take more care to be impartial.
"At times the UK government have been, and indeed the Conservative Party, too close to the perspective of the DUP rather than actually acting as an impartial broker between the parties," he said.

SF are now looking very credible as a future leading party in the North. The DUP's declining vote and British arrogance may well help progress Irish unity a few decades.

In fact maybe what we need is Direct Rule and a bad Brexit and then people in the North will go one step further and actually campaign for and vote to approve Irish unity.

We are a lot lot closer than any of us could have dreamed of. A further few percentage points increase for SF, convincing Alliance and their voters, and the chaos of the Brits and DUP corruption will help no end.

Cerberus in the news again yesterday. Where are we at re. the Nama investigation?

Re: Sinn Féin to collapse Assembly unless Arlene Foster steps down

Foster may survive the next while but a third of her own MLA's are also voicing disquiet according to The Telegraph.

One Unionist pretty much summed up what everyone's thinking: just because SF oppose her nomination does not mean she should be nominated to spite them and it's all about 'me, me, me' with her.

Heartening that even some Unionists find her to be a pain in the hole.

Ian Paisley Junior, who has come a long way in recent years and seems to have more enemies in the UUP/TUV than SF these days, denied he is interested in succeeding her as leader of the overall party. For the moment.

Re: Sinn Féin to collapse Assembly unless Arlene Foster steps down

Sinn Fein walked out of a meeting with Brit Sec of State accusing him of ''waffling''

Quote.. A Sinn Féin delegation left a brief meeting with Secretary of State James Brokenshire on Tuesday as they were unhappy with progress on legacy issues.

The party said Mr Brokenshire "waffled" during Tuesday's talks at Stormont.

Mr Brokenshire has been meeting party leaders in an attempt to establish a new Executive after Thursday’s election ended a unionist majority at Stormont.

The newly-elected MLAs have only three weeks to form an Executive or risk direct rule being imposed on Northern Ireland.

Sinn Féin leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill said afterwards: “What we need is a fundamental change in approach from the British government, we made that very clear to James Brokenshire today.

“All he did is waffle, waffle and more waffle in relation to how we are going to go forward and give families what they need, which is access to due process as per the request by the Lord Chief Justice.” unquote.. http://www.itv.com/news/utv/story/20...mbly-election/

Behind the scenes, the DUP are talking about Unionist unity. Perhaps rattled at the sudden surge in the Nationalist/Republican vote.

Re: Sinn Féin to collapse Assembly unless Arlene Foster steps down

Originally Posted by Saoirse go Deo

My reading of it i that SF have had enough and want to make the north enough of a problem to force the Irish govt in particular to pay more attention.

It's working. Enda Kenny said [before departing from America] that issues surrounding Brexit and Stormont are his top priorities. Said also that he and Theresa May have a Prime ministerial agreement that the North would not be returned to direct rule.

That came as news to one DUP member involved in discussions with the British Prime Minister....

Quote.. The DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson told the BBC's Sunday News that he was not aware of any agreement between Mrs May and Mr Kenny regarding no return to direct rule.
"We had no indication from the government at Westminster that they have agreed that line with Dublin so I think Enda was pushing the boat out a little on that one," he said. unquote. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39316757

Stating that ''Political stability in Northern Ireland was a UK responsibility'' i think Theresa May is not taking on board the concerns of Sinn Fein and others, north and south regarding the potential impact of Brexit on the Good Friday Agreement to which the South of Ireland also has a responsibility.

As the Good Friday Agreement was voted for across the Island of Ireland, i think concern for it's preservation and implementation is a legitimate voice that the ''UK'' should sit up and listen to responsibly.

Re: Sinn Féin to collapse Assembly unless Arlene Foster steps down

Gerry Adams says it's time for Enda Kenny to step up....

Quote.. "The taoiseach has previously expressed impatience over the lack of clarity from Britain on Brexit," said Mr Adams.
"He now knows the date on which Article 50 will be triggered. The clock is ticking, so he needs to act accordingly and stand up for our national interests across the island, at European level, to secure special designated status for the north within the EU.
"That is the consensus of the majority of parties north and south.
"If the British government succeeds in its plans, it will drive part of Ireland out of the European Union.
"That is not acceptable." unquote.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39329130

Re: Sinn Féin to collapse Assembly unless Arlene Foster steps down

I think we're in for a manic Monday...

Quote.. On Sunday, Mr Adams criticised the DUP and the British government's approach to the talks.
Two of the main stumbling blocks are on legacy issues and Irish language.
Mr Adams said "unionism is at a crossroads".
"The DUP's approach thus far has been to engage in a minimalist way on all of the key issues, including legacy issues; an Irish Language Act; a Bill of Rights; and marriage equality," Mr Adams said.
"They have been reinforced in this by the British government's stance. This is unacceptable and a matter of grave concern.
"I am sure this concern is shared by the Irish government.
"The taoiseach (prime minister) knows that he is the co-equal guarantor, with the British PM, of the Good Friday and other agreements. People across this island need to see the taoiseach standing up for these agreements." unquote.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39399501

Re: Sinn Féin to collapse Assembly unless Arlene Foster steps down

Never on a Sunday.

Well, Sin Fein [to their credit] are telling it as it is....

Quote. The party said it will not nominate its Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill as deputy first minister on Monday.
The decision means no power-sharing executive can be formed in time for Monday afternoon's formal deadline.
DUP leader Arlene Foster said to date "there was little to suggest that Sinn Fein want to secure agreement".
"The DUP stands ready to continue to discuss how we can secure new arrangements for Northern Ireland," she said.
The party did not attend today's session of talks as it does not negotiate on Sundays.
Sinn Féin's Mrs O'Neill said: "Today we have come to the end of the road.
"The talks process has run its course and Sinn Féin will not be nominating for the position of speaker or for the executive office tomorrow."
She said the party remained committed to making the power-sharing institutions work. unquote. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39399501

Expect ''waffle'' from the British.
And if someone could press Enda Kenny to stand up and show a pair...

Re: Sinn Féin to collapse Assembly unless Arlene Foster steps down

Who fears to speak of Easter week?

It has been decided to put Stormont talks into a period of ''suspension'' while the Brit Sec of State considers his next move over Easter. It's make your time up for the DUP says Sinn Fein and feet are to hit the streets of Belfast this Good Friday as ''Justice for Northern Ireland veterans'' group intend a rally at Belfast City hall hitting out at any attempt to persue members over legacy issues etc. Similar gatherings to occur in London and Glasgow.

Saoradh intend a counter demonstration march to city hall and a massive police operation is expected. Loyalists have voiced concern, telling the parades commission that the counter demo by republicans should be contained at Castle Street.